Tuesday, November 29, 2011

This post will complete
our investigation of Paul’s letter to the Colossians.I know that if we will embrace its treasure
trove of truth, we will become more spiritually discerning in identifying the proliferation
of false teachings in these end times.

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

In this verse
Paul is basically encouraging the Colossians to have a good testimony before
the unbelieving world—those outside the family of faith.Your life needs to back up the message you
are sharing to be most effective.

1 Corinthians 9:14 “Even so hath the
Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your
conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ….”

Redeeming
time is a reference to making the most of every opportunity (as stated in
several other translations), and I would add learning to recognize those
opportunities as well.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be
alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer
every man.

Christians
are to be prepared to answer why we
believe what we believe.

1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your
hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a
reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I think the words from
Peter complement the words of Paul.Our
speech should always be gracious—but especially when sharing the gospel and the
truth of God’s word.Again, the word for
grace references a divine influence
upon the heart, which I relate to being yielded to the Holy Spirit.We aren’t to try to beat people over the head
with the truth or present it in an offensive manner.I think, however, that the desire not to
offend should not prevent our sharing the truth.Some people will claim offense no matter how
“gracefully” we try to share it.Our
duty is to obey God rather than follow the dictates of the culture.He tells us to share the gospel with
everyone.

Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go
ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

The Greek for the word salt gave reference to prudence, which Webster defines as
“wisdom in the way of caution, discretion and carefulness.”I think this includes Peter’s admonition to
speak with meekness and fear (before the Lord).When salt is added to food it enhances the flavor.When we season our speech with salt we are
speaking so as to make the message more effective—not less.

When looking for extra
insight, I came across a good quote from the web at http://www.saltinstitute.org/pubstat/malott.html, from an article written circa 1970 by H.R.
Malott, Chief Field Representative, Salt Institute:“I like to think that seasoning with salt means the salt
of truth and that knowing how ye ought to answer every man is answering
truthfully. My father taught me that if I did not tell a lie I did not
have to remember what I had said.”

Paul goes on to close his letter with personal greetings and messages.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

The first
thing I notice is that the Colossians evidently have a reputation of being a
praying people since Paul is encouraging them to “continue” in prayer.The Greek for continue made it clear that prayer is worth the effort and energy
devoted to it; it also requires a heart commitment (to be earnest).The Greek for watch is a reference to awareness and vigilance, a desire to discover and avoid danger.In other words, it shouldn’t be a time of
rote repetition.Your heart and mind
should be involved, and your words should have purpose.

Our time of
prayer should always include expressions of thanksgiving.This is an area in which I have grown through
the years.When you talk about prayer,
most people think about asking God for things.Prayer is a time of fellowship with the Lord.As a loving Father, He definitely wants to
hear our burdens and requests, but He also wants to hear words of love,
appreciation and thanksgiving for the many blessings He gives us as well as for
the amazing love and forgiveness which He so freely and unceasingly gives
us.

Colossians 4:3-4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of
utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I
may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Paul does not
hesitate to request prayer for himself and those ministering to and with
him.Scripture is full of references to
the Lord hearing and responding to the prayers of His people.There are many scriptures that encourage us
to pray and let us know that our prayers delight the Lord.

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an
abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked:
but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Paul’s desire was to be
able to continue sharing the gospel with the Gentiles, the very thing that had
led to his imprisonment at the time of writing this letter.Paul had already defined this “mystery” in
chapter 1 as the truth that salvation was meant for Gentiles as well as
Jews.He is also asking for prayer to
share the message clearly and in the right way.It’s interesting to me that although he was very well spoken, Paul
didn’t depend on natural abilities in sharing the gospel message, he wanted
supernatural provision and empowerment.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

This chapter
continues seamlessly in context with the previous chapter.This verse is very similar to a verse from
Ephesians quoted in the last chapter.

Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your
servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in
heaven.

Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the
same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there
respect of persons with him.

I have to
keep reminding myself that Paul is addressing these letters to Christians.My first thought is that what he is saying is
a “no brainer.”Then all I have to do is
remember my own personal failures, and I realize that we all have a continual
struggle with the sin nature and need encouragement and reminders to do what is
right.He is giving Christian “masters”
instruction to treat their servants with justice (according to what is right
morally and ethically) and equality (without respect to persons, neither inferior
nor superior to each other).The prime
motivation—You have a Master in heaven and are servants to Him.There is no doubt that He deals with His
servants justly and without respect to persons.Your treatment of those under your authority falls under the
disciplining authority of your Master—the Lord Jesus.

I think that
although the context is referencing servant/slave-master relationships, it is
obvious that the principles are directly applicable to employee-employer
relationships as well.As a Christian
employee or employer our primary concern should be focused on how our actions
reflect on our Savior.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Paul is
directing his words in this section of his letter to Christian servants.He reminds the believer that his service is
to be done “as unto the Lord.”

Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your
masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in
singleness of heart, fearing God:

The Greek for
servants is a reference to someone
who is a slave, whether willingly or unwillingly.In the whole of biblical times, slavery was a
part of society.I can find nowhere in
scripture that prohibits the practice.There are verses in Deuteronomy and Jeremiah, however, that indicate
that the Lord would that all men be free.

Deuteronomy 23:15–16 “Thou shalt not
deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:
He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose
in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.”

Jeremiah
34:13-16 Thus saith
the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day
that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
bondmen, saying, At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an
Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years,
thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me,
neither inclined their ear. And ye were now turned, and had done right in my
sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a
covenant before me in the house which is called by my name: But ye turned and
polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid,
whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into
subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.

There are,
however, many guidelines as to proper treatment of slaves.Paul gives a clear statement regarding the
treatment of slaves in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:5-9 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to
the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
Christ;Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as
the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will
doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good
thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond
or free.And, ye masters, do the
same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there
respect of persons with him.

Having said
all that, Paul is instructing Christians who are slaves.He is clear that they are to be obedient to
their masters in every way—whether they are being watched or not.They are to serve their masters with the heart
that they are serving God in the process.Verse 8 from Ephesians (above) gives the best motivation.You can’t outgive the Lord.The Lord will reward you for your good
service (the implication being even if your master doesn’t).

Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall
receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Verse 23
begins with a repeat of the instruction in verse 17.I think the key truth that keeps jumping out
in this chapter is that we are to live “as to the Lord.”I am sure that a slave would especially need
these words of encouragement—especially if serving a hard master.He/she would need to be focused on the fact
that the Lord looks at his/her service to their master as though they are
serving Him.Again, their work will not
go unrewarded; they have a heavenly inheritance awaiting them.

Our culture
is so full of pleasing self and earning the accolades of people.As Christians, the only One we should worry
about pleasing is the Lord.Why?Because we are joint-heirs with Christ, and
our eternal inheritance will far surpass any earthly treasure or accolades we
may accumulate.We serve the “Lord
Christ,” the Messiah, the Savior, THE Supreme Authority.

Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath
done: and there is no respect of persons.

In context,
this statement seems connected to the instruction to “servants.”God will not let those who claim His name go
unpunished for wrongdoing.There is no
valid excuse before the Lord for doing wrong.Scripture is clear that you will reap what you sow.

Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow
iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The Lord is a
righteous judge; He is no respecter of persons.

2Chronicles 19:7
Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there
is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of
gifts.

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and
said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons
with God.

1Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who
without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time
of your sojourning here in fear:

Though in context
this instruction is to servants, it is applicable to every believer.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

In this blog
post we come to the section of verses in Colossians in which Paul shares God’s
will for the Christian concerning the structure of authority in the
family. It is a concept that only
Christian families can truly understand and more willingly embrace when each member
of the family understands God’s heart and submits as unto Him.

Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in
the Lord.

Our culture
and society has certainly made this directive distasteful to most women
today. Submission is understood as
weakness and as designating inferiority.
That is not God’s intention. We
must always remember that every command and instruction that God has given us
is for our good. Because in general men
have rebelled from their responsibilities before God and women have asserted
their “equality” in every area, this aspect of God’s ordained structure for the
family has basically been ignored—the implication being that we know better
than God what is good for us. The thing
to remember is that Paul is writing to believers, those who should be embracing
God’s will for their lives. I can’t help
but be curious as to why this verse was inspired to precede the following
verse. It is much easier for wives to
understand and accept submission in light of God’s command to the
husbands. The sobering truth is that
this distinction is a result of the curse for sin.

Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and
thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall
be to thy husband, and he shall rule
over thee.

It’s not the
relationship God established with the creation; it’s a relationship that became
necessary because of our rebellion. The
most important motivation for every Christian wife is to remember that we are
submitting to the Lord in submitting to our husbands. I liked a quote from Warren Wiersbe I found
in David Guzik’s commentary: “The idea of submission
doesn't have anything to do with someone being smarter or better or more talented.
It has to do with a God-appointed order. "Anyone who has served in the
armed forces knows that 'rank' has to do with order and authority, not with
value or ability."

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your
wives, and be not bitter against them.

In my opinion,
husbands are given the much harder command.
They are to love their wives unconditionally and not act bitterly toward
them. According to Webster, to act
bitterly is to cause physical pain or to cause pain or distress to the
mind. He also defines it as actions that
are severe, cruel, harsh, or stern. As
you can see, this directive applies to both “words and deeds” as referenced in
verse 17. When a Christian husband is
obedient to this instruction from the Lord, it will not be hard for the wife to
be submissive. His actions will
demonstrate that he is always watching out for her well being because he is
being submissive to the Lord.

This brings
up another important point in my thinking regarding being sure that you do not
get unequally yoked to an unbeliever. If
a Christian woman puts herself in that position, she is just asking for
trouble. 1Peter makes it clear that you
are to be submissive to the unbelieving husband in hopes of winning him to
faith by your example.

1Peter 3:1-2 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your
own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be
won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste
conversation coupled with fear.

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your
parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Paul now
directs his instruction to the children.
In each case—wife, husband, child—I think Paul is singling out the most
important instruction for each for creating a happy home that honors the Lord. The hardest thing for a child to do is
obey. The instruction is that they obey
all of the time—not just part of the time.
Again, if their parents are themselves submissive and obedient to the
Lord, an environment is created that makes this instruction easier to follow;
it does not, however, ensure compliance.
Until a child comes to saving faith and in possession of the Holy
Spirit, he most naturally follows the desires of his flesh. He has to be taught what is good and
right. He has to be taught about the
Lord and the things that please the Lord.
I would assume that Paul is directing his comments to children that have
proclaimed their faith in Jesus and have a desire to please Him, since that is
the motivation that he attaches to the directive.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

It’s
interesting to note that the next directive is to Fathers—not mothers or
parents. As the established authority in
the home, the Father is held accountable for the disciplinary structure in the
home. It doesn’t mean that he works
independently of the mother; in fact, a wise father work hand-in-hand with his
“helpmeet” to ensure the proper environment and in establishing the
disciplinary guidelines for the family. The
mother is always the designated authority over the child in the absence of the
Father, and the children must understand that she has his full support. It’s easy for one in authority to abuse that
authority—especially in a parent-child relationship. The father is wise that guides his children
with a firm, but loving hand. He is
clear in his expectations and in the consequences for not adhering to those
expectations. Children may not like it,
but they understand and appreciate consistent, protective parameters. Fathers who aren’t consistent in their
actions and are unclear in making their expectations understood only provoke
anger in their children with their responses.
They will get discouraged because they will never be sure of how to
please you.

If we want
our children to grow in spiritual maturity and learn to be submissive and
obedient to the Lord, we need to ensure that they see fathers and mothers who
are submissive and obedient to the Lord.

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Purpose

This discourse is intended as a presentation of the primary teaching of prophecy in scripture as I currently understand it and is always subject to revision as I gain better understanding. A more thorough verse-by-verse study can be found on my website at www.momsbiblejournal.com. This narrative will also include topical studies on other important issues in scripture, insights from particular books in scripture, as well as some personal musings about the impact of God's word on my life. All scripture quoted is from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated.

About Me

I love to study the scripture and share what I learn with others and learn from them as well. My joy in life is spending time with my family, and I love being a Grandma. I enjoy playing the piano and singing and am a wannabe poet and author.